FMX
Watch FMX Rider Nail Historic Trick at X-Fighters
Tom Pagès lands his scary bike flip for the first time in competition at Red Bull X-Fighters Madrid.
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Tom Pagès does the first Bike Flip in competition!
Thomas Pagès makes history at Red Bull X-Fighters in Madrid with the first competitive Bike Flip.
Freestyle motocross rider Tom Pagès has won Red Bull X-Fighters Madrid, dazzling the thousands of spectators in Plaza de Toros de las Ventas and many more watching online in the process with a world first.
The Frenchman has been stunning both crowds and his Red Bull X-Fighters rivals ever since his first appearance in the series back in 2009.
In 2012, the world watched, jaws on the floor, as Pagès landed his first-ever Special Flip, hopping off the bike mid-air to perform a backflip before re-saddling and landing -- a stunning achievement.
I would love to see more people developing new tricks and being innovative to bring the sport to a new level.
But Pagès is nothing if not an innovator and, far from resting on his laurels, the Frenchman has in recent months been teasing another world-beater -- the bike flip.
Originating as a BMX trick and first debuted by Morgan Wade at the 2004 X Games, Pagès has taken the bike flip on as his own. And at Red Bull X-Fighters in Madrid today, Pagès wowed the crowd by landing the first-ever FMX bike flip in competition, also winning the event ahead of Josh Sheehan and Levi Sherwood.
Las Ventas in all its splendour
© Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Five Questions with Tom Pagès
How do you get a new trick like the bike flip together?
First I get the inspiration -- in this case I got it from Travis Pastrana. Once I have that, I try to figure out the best technique to get the move done. This is actually a very intense part of the process, as you have to cross a lot of little steps to get it right. Once I’ve found a way to do it, I practice until I have the movement dialed in.
Does it bother you to see other riders copying you?
That’s the way it is. For people copying a trick, it’s way easier as they can skip the step where you have to find the right technique. Some riders just pick up stuff, but that’s the lazy way to add a new trick to the bag. On the other hand, it’s a compliment on the job I did developing it. I would love to see more people developing new tricks and being innovative to bring the sport to a new level.
Tom Pagès trick list with a Bike Flip in Madrid
© Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
What's been your most hard-fought Red Bull X-Fighters win?
I’ve had a few tough battles with other very good riders, but I think last year’s duel with Taka Higashino would be the one to answer that question!
What’s the best thing about riding FMX?
To be able to innovate new tricks in this young sport, and performing in front of a crowd that goes nuts when I ride. They give me wings to do what I do.
And finally, who is your biggest inspiration?
There are a lot of people who inspire me in different ways, but Travis Pastrana is for sure the number one!
Check out Tom's amazing championship-winning run at the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour stop in Madrid in 2013 below:
2 min
Tom Pages on his X Fighters 2013 triumph
2013 X Fighters Tom Pages talks to redbull.com at the season finale in Madrid...
You can win Tom Pagès' Yamaha YZ250 -- the bike on which he won the 2013 Red Bull X-Fighters title! Find out how on the Red Bull X-Fighters site.